The Art of Oratory

The art of oratory existed in many ancient states, however, its history is traditionally dated from 490 B.C. when the ancient Greek commander Pericles established Athenian democracy. Later, Aristotle and Cicero created not only a systematic science of eloquence but also established professional requirements for the orator. A true orator is not someone who captivates others with their thoughts, but someone who upholds the rules of dialogue and the joint civic existence of people. During the Renaissance, Lorenzo Valla and Juan Luis Vives contemplated the role of the orator in contexts of complex political situations. Thinkers and writers of the early modern period, Charles Perrault, Mikhail Lomonosov, and Georg Hegel developed new rules of rhetoric as a social imagination that cultivates responsible citizens. Rhetoric remains relevant even today: the art of oratory helps achieve success in professional activities, address social demands, and improve the sphere of communication. This edition includes fragments from the works of well-known ancient, Western European, and Russian authors.